Cleaning the engine compartment

[TunnelFear]

How is the safe way to go about this...after a few mud trips during the past weeks, my engine is basically coated in mud and I want to clean it...but have no idea how to go about it. Any suggestions?

 

[4Wheelin]

I cover up the alternator, fuse box (just in case), battery, and the distributor (pretty much anything electrical) and then spray on a generous amount of foamy engine brite and then just spray it off with a hose.

 

[rpenner54]

I put a Bag over my KKM and just get in there with a hose and spray away. I usually let it sit for a few hours with the hood up just to get all dried up too.

 

[JoshC]

If it's like mine, you've got a hard time getting the mud off of the hoses, so just wash them off good (still look nasty) and let it dry and spray everything under the hood with some Armor All or something like that and then take if for a drive and let the motor get hot and it will look like it's new again, it works for me, hope it does for you too!!

Happy trailes!

 

[mmpc]

I go to the local do-it-yourself car wash. IMPORTANT: Be sure your engine isn't too hot before going at it! Cold water and hot engine = BAD! I usually go first thing in the morning and, since the wash is less than 10 miles from my house, the engine doesn't heat up too much.

I also cover the things mentioned previously and then use the low pressure soap/rinse to clean. I suppose you could use high pressure as well, just don't get too close with it... Have fun!

 

[yob_yeknom]

• Here's how I clean mine:
• let engine cool for about half an hour
• cover alternator and ignition box with plastic bags
• spray everything with water hose (pressure washer if available)
• spray tire cleaner on everything rubber (not on anything painted as it eats paint), let it sit a few minutes, then spray it off with the water hose
• spray tire cleaner on everything plastic and painted and let it sit just a few seconds before spraying it off with the hose
• let everything sit a while and dry
• spray oven cleaner on the engine and exhaust manifolds
• drive around for a while for the engine to get good and hot (makes the cleaner do its job) (also makes a not so great smell)
• repeat first 3 steps

I have done this a few times with very impressive results.

 

[thegoon543]

If you want to degrease your engine also, Engine Brite or Gunk works well. Just use caution cuz its pretty poisonous.

 

[RTStork]

I've had great results with Simple Green or Castrol Super Clean.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I go to the car wash and spray the whole area with the tire/engine cleaner, let it soak for a min. or so and high pressure spray it off. I cover nothing but I don't aim the spray directly at the ignition. Never a problem...
Start it up asap and let it idle 5 min before driving.

 

[ok89]

Ok. So after my mudding trip I am going to do this. I will take it to the local coin wash and use the engine cleaner/degreaser. Where is the ignition so I know what to avoid?

I'm going to cover the distributer. Also my battery is completely covered so should i use something special on it or just the engine cleaner/degreaser?

 

[RTStork]

Just make sure the engine is cool and try not to directly spray water on hot heads. If you have the distributor, battery ,and ignition coil covered, you should be ok.

 

[ok89]

Where is the ignition coil?
How do i clean the battery because it is covered in mud

 

[RTStork]

To clean the battery you could use a soapy cloth then wipe it with a slightly damp cloth to get the soap off.

If your engine has a distributor then find the plug wire thats in the center of the distributor cap. The other end is plugged into the coil. If your engine does not have a distributor then it has coil packs. The plug wires will be plugged into the coil packs. Whichever ignition you have, cover the appropriate parts.